NSW teenagers have the highest abortion rates in the country, with more young people terminating pregnancies than choosing to become parents, Family Planning figures show. While termination data is not actively collected in NSW, available information shows there were 4053 abortions among teens aged 15-19 in 2009 — the highest in Australia and double the number of Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland. In the same year there were 3152 live births among the same age group.

Queensland MP Freya Ostapovitch has claimed abortion increases the risk of breast cancer. The member for Stretton rose to speak on a matter of public interest just before midday on Tuesday, when most parliamentary reporters were in the budget lock up.

Victorian Premier Denis Napthine says that while he is leader he will not let independent MP Geoff Shaw introduce changes to abortion laws. "While I am premier, I will not allow Mr Shaw to introduce any legislation seeking to change abortion laws in Victoria," Dr Napthine told reporters on Wednesday.

Australia is in the midst of an ice epidemic, with the drug being linked to a growing number of crimes, and higher quantities of the amphetamine seized at our borders. And there is no end in sight to our addiction.

People with a mental illness are at risk of being stuck in a ''revolving door'' in and out of homelessness without support to help them keep their public housing, research has found. A study to be released by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre has found a lack of support for people with mental illness has resulted in many slipping back into homelessness.

The political sideshow surrounding Geoff Shaw looks set to end, with both major parties looking at ways to suspend or expel him from Parliament. A text message ultimatum delivered personally by Mr Shaw to Premier Denis Napthine about the Frankston MP’s demands has helped harden the Government’s stance against Mr Shaw.

Two Indonesian nationals have been found guilty of people smuggling after a two-week trial in the Perth District Court. Boy Djara and Justhen had been fighting to one charge each of assisting a group of five or more unlawful non-citizens into Australia and five charges each of assisting a group of five or more unlawful non-citizens into Australia in a way that gave rise to danger of death or serious injury.